ODNR Fishing Report 07/6/2004: OH

Article Posted: July 07, 2004

** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entireseason. The smallmouth and largemouth bass season opened on June 26. Thedaily bag limit for bass is 5 with a 14" minimum size limit.**

Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees.

Western Basin

WalleyeThe best walleye fishing has been between West Sister Island and MiddleSister Island, and also from Middle Sister Island to Northwest Reef (W ofNorth Bass Island). Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons or wormharnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 (ranging in sizefrom 5 to 10 inches) are already being caught. Please handle thesesub-legal fish as gently as possible and quickly return them to the water.

Yellow PerchYellow perch fishing has been best at Kelleys Island shoal, aroundRattlesnake Island, and near the green buoy W of Catawba State Park. Fishjust off the bottom using perch spreaders tipped with shiners.

Smallmouth BassThe best smallmouth bass fishing has been around the Bass Islands, KelleysIsland and Sandusky Bay.

Central Basin

WalleyeThe best walleye fishing has been N of Lorain around the old trash dump, 10to 12 miles N of Ashtabula in 70 feet of water, 1 to 3 miles N of theChagrin River in 38 to 50 feet of water, and 3 to 4 miles W of FairportHarbor in 35 to 45 feet of water. Trolling spoons or worm harnesses usingdivers or downriggers has produced the best catches.

Yellow PerchYellow perch fishing has been best within one mile of Lorain, 1 to 2 miles Nof Cleveland in 30 to 40 feet of water, 2 to 3 miles N of Fairport Harbor in30 to 40 feet of water, and 3 to 4 miles out from Ashtabula to Conneaut in50 to 55 feet of water. A perch spreader tipped with shiners is the mostpopular set-up.

Smallmouth BassThe best smallmouth bass fishing has been around Ruggles Reef and theshoreline and harbors in 15 to 30 feet of water from Fairport Harbor toConneaut. Jigs tipped with shiners, tube jigs and crankbaits have been themost productive lures.

SteelheadSteelhead have been caught occasionally by walleye anglers trolling spoons 8to 9 miles N of the Chagrin River in 52 to 70 feet of water. Target areaswith schools of baitfish where walleye are also being caught.